Famous Five: Unheralded Premier League stars

20 Oct 2011 12:51:00

TEAMtalk's Matty Briggs picks out five of the Premier League's unheralded stars who he believes deserve more credit.
With the big boys tending to dominate the football column inches, I have outlined some of the more unfashionable players that have been hitting the dizzy heights.
Have a read and let me know what you think in the story comments box below, or drop me a line via Twitter at @teamtalk or @mattpbriggs if I've missed somebody out who you rate.
Cheik Tiote
Tiote has been tearing up trees for Newcastle since his £3.5milion switch from Twente in August 2010.
The dymamic midfielder has been the driving force for the Magpies in their terrific start to the season with his tenacious tackling and all-action displays catching the eye. He even put the action-man Scott Parker in the shadows in the weekend's draw with Spurs.
The Ivory Coast international is sure to be a target for one of Europe's big guns if he can maintain the form he has shown in the last 18 months.
Martin Olsson
A flying full-back who doesn't get the credit he deserves at Ewood Park.
Loves to make an overlapping run and is quick into the tackle. He has managed two goals for Sweden this year, but it is his forward bursts which have caught the eye with Blackburn in the last two seasons and ultimately rewarded him with a five-year deal in 2010.
At 23 he has plenty of developing to do, but the Swede is sure to become a seasoned international.
Jon Walters
Vastly under-rated in the top flight.
Walters arrived from Ipswich in the summer of 2010 for £2.75million and many, including myself, raised their eyebrows. Walters looked ordinary in the Championship and I dare say Ipswich were happy to do business with Tony Pulis. But the Republic of Ireland frontman has proved to be a bargain and asserted himself as the Potters' star man.
Walters' workrate has been terrific and he has displayed the quality needed to play up front in the Premier League. He has scored four goals this term and looks likely to top the 12 he notched in his debut in the top flight last term.
Steven Fletcher
A Scottish frontman who has really flourished in the English top flight.
He has a terrific all-round game and netted 12 goals in his last two seasons for Burnley and Wolves. That might not sound brilliant, but double figures two seasons on the spin in struggling teams is not to be sniffed at.
He might look like a 'good old-fashioned' targetman, but Fletcher has got more to his game. The classy forward was a shining light for Wolves last season and has already proved to be a shrewd acquisition at around £6.5million.
Stephane Sessegnon
A lively forward who has displayed huge potential.
The Benin international has looked an exciting prospect on Wearside since his switch from Paris Saint-Germain in January. He grabbed three goals at the end of the season and looked to be finding his form, but has been used as a supporting striker this time around and hasn't looked at home.
I'm sure there is more to come from him, but he has shown glimpses of ability and lightning acceleration. Expect him to settle in and find his feet this season and start repaying back the £6million fee.